Tracking of physical activity from adolescence to adulthood: a population-based study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:To assess the association between regular physical activity in adolescence and leisure-time physical activity in adulthood, with emphasis on gender differences. METHODS:A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in 2003. A representative sample of households was selected in multiple stages and subjects aged 20-59 years were interviewed. Leisure-time physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data on adolescent physical activity were based on subjects' recall. RESULTS:Of 2,577 subjects interviewed, 27.5% were classified as adequately active, and 54.9% reported regular physical activity in adolescence. Subjects who engaged in regular physical activity during adolescence were more likely to be adequately active in adulthood (adjusted prevalence ratio 1.42; 95% CI: 1.23; 1.65). This effect was stronger in women (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.22; 1.86) than men (adjusted prevalence ratio: 1.35; 95% CI: 1.10; 1.67). CONCLUSIONS:Promoting physical activity in school age may be a successful intervention against the epidemic of adult inactivity. Although women were less likely to report regular physical activity in adolescence, the effect of this experience on adult behavior was stronger than in men.

Regular exercise history as a predictor of exercise in community-dwelling older Japanese people

“…Previous studies have reported a high frequency of ball games among men across ages 14 to 31 years 21) . Dance and gymnastics were more popular with women 15,22) . Our finding supports the previous gender difference in the traditional preferences for specific types of exercise.…”

Distância percebida até as instalações de lazer e sua associação com a prática de atividade física e de exercícios em adolescentes de Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil

“…A prática regular de atividade física de intensidade moderada a vigorosa e exercícios de força e alongamento nessa faixa etária podem proporcionar benefícios para a saúde dos jovens, bem como a diminuição de fatores de risco para doenças cardiovasculares, além da melhora da saúde osteomioarticular e mental 2,3 . Ainda, pesquisas mostram que adolescentes fisicamente ativos tendem a se tornar adultos igualmente ativos 4,5 . No entanto, dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) mostraram que mais da metade dos adolescentes brasileiros (57%) não atinge as recomendações mínimas de prática de atividade física para a saúde 6 .…”

Prevalência de inatividade física e fatores associados em estudantes do ensino médio de escolas públicas estaduais

“…2 Therefore, the regular practice of physical activity is an important behavior to prevent chronic diseases and it must be promoted during the whole growth and development process so that such behavior become more likely to become a habit in adulthood as has been demonstrated by international 3,4 and Brazilian studies. 5 Adolescents should engage in moderate to vigorous physical activities for at least 60 minutes a day, thus reaching 300 minutes a week. Such activities may be practiced at school or not, either consisting of supervised or unsupervised practice.…”